Really like your videos. It feels like I know you. A couple of questions, I live in a city that's not very bike friendly and when I ride on the streets, I typically ride where a car's right tire would be (standard riding technique). People almost always get over, and most wait to pass me if it's unsafe due to oncoming traffic. (However I've never tried this on highways with high speed limits.) I'm guessing you tried this type of riding position in Montana. Did it not work? Also, it doesn't look like you used rear view mirrors. Was there a reason for this?
@TheBicycleTourists19 сағат бұрын
Thank you! Julianna had a mirror, I think for the whole ride. It took me until we reached Ohio to get one that I liked. I had never used one before but now I'm sold on it. As far as riding in Montana goes, many people ride in conditions like we saw, but we found it to be too unsafe. The main reason is that speeds are high out there on the plains, it's not uncommon for people to drive 100 mph plus. As a cyclist with no shoulder, that is very disconcerting. They really have no reaction time. You're just a blur to them.
@todddonovan9780Күн бұрын
Bring your big tires if you're coming to Tucson...
@TheBicycleTourists19 сағат бұрын
Not a bad idea!
@Rottingboards2 күн бұрын
IOWA now has one of the longest paved trails in the USA...just completed this month! ❤ "Iowa Nice"
@TheBicycleTouristsКүн бұрын
Is this the one you referred to earlier, the Raccoon and the Trestle Trail?
@RottingboardsКүн бұрын
@@TheBicycleTourists Yes
@Rottingboards2 күн бұрын
Come back during RAGBRAI!!
@TheBicycleTouristsКүн бұрын
That's a hard "maybe".
@Rottingboards2 күн бұрын
I never ride roads in Iowa. To many people watching their phones or playing with the vehicles entertainment. Then you have the local Jethro's who like to roll coal on you. 😞 Our paved bike paths are endless.
@TheBicycleTouristsКүн бұрын
I have yet to ride Iowa's trails, hope to someday in the not-too-distant future.
@Rottingboards2 күн бұрын
Iowa: 120 mile paved loop dedicated bike path (Raccoon River Valley Trail) just got tied to another paved 25 mile (Trestle Trail) bike path this week. My bike is very happy here in Iowa. You don't need to ride on roads in Iowa.
@TheBicycleTouristsКүн бұрын
I'm glad to hear that. I need to look into it. thanks for the info.
@markwinward5003 күн бұрын
Great advice! I’ve been bicycling my whole life and finally have the time to check off a major item on my bucket list: the US Southern Tier (eastbound). This will be my first cross-country tour and will be unsupported - a kind of personal retreat. I especially liked your responses to perceived barriers to touring - which I’ll be sure to use as a response to people to why and how I could possibly do such a thing!
@TheBicycleTouristsКүн бұрын
Thank you. That sounds awesome! Enjoy your adventure!
@rkobarov4 күн бұрын
I’m local from Piran. Good job.
@TheBicycleTourists3 күн бұрын
Thank you! You live in a beautiful place!
@chrisharley43535 күн бұрын
When did you start, and how many days, minus a week off, did it take you? Thanks for sharing. It looked amazing.
@TheBicycleTourists4 күн бұрын
Well, let's just say we took our time. Left the West Coast on July 9th, I believe, finished on October 31st. We lost about a week in Great Falls and Kansas City, and about two weeks in Vermont isolating with Covid.
@chrisharley43534 күн бұрын
@@TheBicycleTourists Sometimes, taking time to enjoy the ride is the best. Thanks for the reply!
@dusangroselj6 күн бұрын
Hello I am contacting you as a native from Slovenia. I myself live in the western part of Slovenia, which you have cycled through so that I know these wonderful places. I would not have been able to present Slovenia as beautifully as you did in the company of your daughter. When I look at you as a family, it seems unique to me that you manage to "bring your adult daughter across the Atlantic" on such a trip. Congratulations on such a family. I would also like to praise the professional and technical performance of the recordings. I'm used to this kind of thing only from documentaries on TV. In addition, you have a voice that you could "lend" to any of the above-mentioned shows 🙂 As I can see, you took the time to study the history of these places and presented it beautifully. A wonderful advertisement for Slovenia. You are always welcome here. And one more interesting detail. You also traveled through the village of Otošče. In the immediate vicinity is the village of Lozice, where, according to the story, Emperor Napoleon stayed during the conquest of these places. He settled in the village inn with the innkeeper with his two daughters. Apparently he was in no hurry to get out of these places... Greetings from Slovenia.
@TheBicycleTourists5 күн бұрын
Thank you so much! I really fell in love with this country, it has such a nice blending of cultures. And so much beauty. It means the world that a local such as yourself appreciates my efforts. Thanks again!
@emmadoggy7 күн бұрын
I live in Waukon (but secretly love Decorah much better!). There's quite a bit to see and do in Decorah. The museum, the fish hatchery (home of the famous Decorah eagles of webcam fame), Dunnings Spring, and some really nice city parks. Not to mention trout fishing, biking and other outdoor activities. It's a shame you didn't check some of them out - esp. Dunnings Spring.
@TheBicycleTourists5 күн бұрын
Yes, It's amazing all the things I've missed on my tours!
@michaelvikhman79267 күн бұрын
14:33 amazing shot, among many
@TheBicycleTourists5 күн бұрын
Thanks Michael!
@jacobrnegard96037 күн бұрын
A bit late to the party but hoping you see this! First off all, I love this series! Im planning a ride from toulouse to narbonne, and im wondering how you used komoot. I hear you saying that "kamoot put us on this and this road". Did you find a preplanned route for large segments of the ride (for example toulouse-carcassonne) ahed of time, or did you use it a bit more likke google maps, finding shorter routes from here to there along the way?
@TheBicycleTourists5 күн бұрын
Hello, and thank you! When planning this trip I used Komoot and other sources to determine where there were longer cycling routes (the Loire, the Velodysee, the Canal de Deus Mers, the Rhone). I knew we would have good riding along these routes, but things are always changing. I use Komoot as we go, some routes (like the Canal du Midi) are less than complete, or too rough in places and a side road is preferred. So in answer to your question, I used Komoot for long term planning as well as daily planning.
@mervinswerve1337 күн бұрын
Thanks for shaing❤
@TheBicycleTourists5 күн бұрын
Hey, thanks for watching!
@dougthatcher352110 күн бұрын
Bravo!!!
@TheBicycleTourists9 күн бұрын
Thank you!
@KevinBeaver-h8u13 күн бұрын
Roland, for domestic rail trail trips do you drive to trail heads, check your bikes on the airline, or ship your bicycles? If you ship I am curious which service you used? Also, for airlines, what kind of bike case do you use?
@TheBicycleTourists9 күн бұрын
All of the above. When we travel to Europe we check them on airlines. We use shipping bags (sorry, can't remember the brand and thy are packed away), and pack them with bubble wrap and swimming noodles. Julianna has a cousin in Switzerland where we rebuild the bikes and we store the bags. Many of the rail trails we've ridden here in the US we rode as part of a cross country ride, connecting long-distance trails. But we've also shipped across the US using BikeFlights.com. Once I used Amtrak to ship, very reasonable, using well-padded cardboard boxes.
@janechapman142115 күн бұрын
Thankyou for the lovely video. I’m watching the whole series. A question please - when using Komodo t to plan your routes, did you choose bike touring or gravel option? Thankyou
@TheBicycleTourists14 күн бұрын
Hello Jane, thanks for following! I use Bike Touring, which allows for some gravel, some paved, which is perfect for us.
@TheZipeedoo18 күн бұрын
Sometime shims made from a strip of inner tube work for me.
@TheBicycleTourists15 күн бұрын
That makes sense. I think my problem stemmed from a previous bike shop putting too much grease on the post, so that nothing would hold for long.
@TheZipeedoo15 күн бұрын
@@TheBicycleTourists I've had that occur. The inner tube material seems to grip in those circumstances. You can compress it with the clamp.
@TheBicycleTourists14 күн бұрын
Good to know! Thanks for the tip!
@SchizoMelody19 күн бұрын
Dude you missed the opportunity to ride down to Cassville and take the ferry over the river
@TheBicycleTourists15 күн бұрын
Ha. The list of things I've missed on my trips is endless!
@VeryMediocreGamer19 күн бұрын
I have an idea for mine, and i'm not planning a route. I am just going to start riding and stop when I feel the time has come.
@TheBicycleTourists15 күн бұрын
That works as well. It would've worked for me when I was younger, but now I prefer to avoid problems with traffic, resources, etc. But the freedom of not having a plan is intoxicating.
20 күн бұрын
ok, what exactly has changed in Ljubljana since 84? Ecept city centre is designed for tourists now and then it was for locals (you know ppl who actually live in Ljubljana)?
@TheBicycleTourists20 күн бұрын
Hard to say, it's been some 40 years, when I was there it seemed gray and lifeless, now it seems vibrant. Impressions only. Not a scientific analysis. No, I don't know people who live there.
@APhotographerTravels2025JohnMc21 күн бұрын
I’v viewed five videos not one tells me the price of a pass to ride the Hiawatha trail. How much is the fee to ride this trail? You tell of the shuttle fee why not the trail pass fee?
@TheBicycleTourists20 күн бұрын
Hmmm. Slipped my mind I guess.
@SINTHEREBEL66619 күн бұрын
Just google it 😂😂😂
@michaelvikhman792621 күн бұрын
Great Video Roland. Can you post a link to that tripod selfie stick. That's exactly what I am looking for.
@TheBicycleTourists20 күн бұрын
Thank you! I'm sorry to say I cannot find the brand on that selfie stick, or a link in any of my past orders. There are quite a few KZfaqs out there comparing selfie stick/tripods, but in all honesty I haven't found one that I love more that my GoPro foam handle (no tripod), and I've tried a few. Good luck!
@michaelvikhman792619 күн бұрын
@@TheBicycleTourists Thank for checking Roland. I will poke around the interwebs see what I can find. Also are you guys doing any tours in east coast mid-atlantic area?
@TheBicycleTourists19 күн бұрын
We are currently dealing with a couple of health issues, not serious but costing us valuable time, and we've cancelled our plans for a crossing of Europe in late summer. Once cleared, depending on th season we will probably try to do a ride somewhere here in the US, probably in the east. Maybe GAP/C&O, Virginia rail trails, or something similar.
@SoundCastle0021 күн бұрын
Hey Roland. Love your channel😊 I'm thinking of buying a touring bike and doing a coast to coast trip in the states and i was wondering if a 1995 Trek 520 is a good idea or i should buy a newer bike. I'm 55 and currently ride a Trek Madone 4.5 that i bought years ago when i was just getting into riding. I found out quickly that a race bike wasn't my style at all, but i still ride it. I know the 520 is a classic bike all around but I'm wondering if there is a better option out there. What do you ride?
@TheBicycleTourists20 күн бұрын
Hello, and thanks! I ride a discontinued REI brand bike: Novarra Safari. I love it. It's about ten years old. I'm not all that savvy with different models, but I've only heard good things about the Trek 520, a bike Trek has also discontinued. The brand and model are solid, but I would research to see if the age is an issue. For example, disc brakes are a great thing to have with all that weight!
@SoundCastle0020 күн бұрын
@@TheBicycleTourists thank you sir
@michaelvikhman792621 күн бұрын
Roland, you basically took every word out of my mouth, but expressed it in a way I can only dream about. Just listening to you brings me zen. 9:02, I could look at that for hours and it will never get old.
@TheBicycleTourists20 күн бұрын
Thank you so much Michael! So glad it spoke to you. That moonrise over Puget Sound was a beautiful moment!
@ConsensusCrewBetting22 күн бұрын
if anyones watching this and if it hasn't been said yet, bikes only on the west side of the bridge. no or less pedestrians. be safe out there!
@TheBicycleTourists21 күн бұрын
When I rode there it depended on the time of the day. I was routed to the east side going north at mid-day and to the west side going south around rush hour.
@borse7822 күн бұрын
Very informative 👏 👌
@TheBicycleTourists21 күн бұрын
thank you!
@BerndKorell24 күн бұрын
12:56 Drückt Dich ein Leid mit langem Weg, und willst davon gesunden, Zu Deines Gottes Bergen geh, Die heilen alle Wunden. Suffering with a long way to go, and want to recover from it, Go to the mountains of your God, They heal all wounds.
@TheBicycleTourists21 күн бұрын
Thank you! I was probably doing google translate.
@raymondbrown133224 күн бұрын
Great Loop trail and terrible surface streets???????? YUP! That's Tucson
@TheBicycleTourists21 күн бұрын
Great place to cycle, at any rate.
@Robotron2084Guide25 күн бұрын
This popped up via yt algorithm, maybe because ragbrai just completed. As a backwoods Iowan, You did a nice job of capturing the vibe. Well done. Open road with wind and the same distracted driving as rest of the country….most of us wouldn’t ride highways like that. Cheers.
@TheBicycleTourists21 күн бұрын
Thanks! I'm usually good on roads if there is a good shoulder. The stretch north from McGregor was a nightmare, although brief.
@Robotron2084Guide21 күн бұрын
@@TheBicycleTourists that specific corner near SW Wisconsin bypassed the last glaciation hence it didnt get bulldozed flat. The last glaciers came down to about i-80. If you havent checked out SE Iowa as it heads toward northern Ozark range it is scenic and rolling woodland hills. There are rock outcroppings like NE Iowa but they aren’t quite as visible from public roads. Happy biking.
@TheBicycleTourists20 күн бұрын
I would love to bike more of Iowa. Always had a soft spot for the state.
@sarahbaethge679027 күн бұрын
Julianna, love your helmet-hat.
@TheBicycleTourists26 күн бұрын
Thank you so much!
@bruceabbotts951227 күн бұрын
There is the Trail of the Couer D Alenes that hooks up with the Centennial trail (to go on a side trip toward Spokane WA) and the Hiawatha Trail with some amazing bridges. And can also hook up and head on to Missoula Montana with pretty minimal road riding.
@TheBicycleTourists27 күн бұрын
Yes indeed!
@zebarleyw279128 күн бұрын
We haven’t finished watching this French series yet, you just arrived in Agde..but my husband and I want you to know that we are really enjoying your recordings, your words , your camera work, descriptions,and fondness for one another. It’s such a pleasure to watch . Thank you for sharing this . I came upon it as we were looking for videos of cycling in the Loire. We are not seasoned riders so plan to do an e bike tour for perhaps 4 days, with hotels pre booked and baggage taken from one hotel to another. You have helped excite us. Thank you .
@TheBicycleTourists27 күн бұрын
Thank you. That is so great to hear! And enjoy your ride, let me know how it goes!
@knowbuddycares616828 күн бұрын
about to leave michigan to Minnesota not for fun , have to life events lead to me being homeless (everyone really is just a few paychecks away) and honestly I am terrified but seeing people MUCH older than I am doing much longer routes than I have to do , DOES take away a lot of crying in the middle of the night but I am terrified imma run out of food and water or my bike tire will pop and i will be walking the whole way any suggestions?
@TheBicycleTourists26 күн бұрын
Sounds like you're not prepared for this kind of ride. You need a safer plan.
@fabioortiz772929 күн бұрын
Great video
@TheBicycleTourists27 күн бұрын
Thank you!
@leonardziegenmeyer908629 күн бұрын
It is so refreshing to see a couple who are not ashamed to show their affection for each other.
@TheBicycleTourists27 күн бұрын
Thank you Leonard!
@leonardziegenmeyer9086Ай бұрын
I remember in 1976 when Adventure Cycling Association was known as Bikecentennial. I still have the poster they were selling of The Going To The Sun Highway,
@TheBicycleTourists29 күн бұрын
I remember that well. In 1976 I was hitchhiking out in California and I came upon a group of Bikecentennial cyclists. They had ridden from the east coast and like it so much they were now going down the Pacific coast. I had never imagined such a thing is possible. So inspiring! Planted the seed!
@jaykaysr9225Ай бұрын
Iowa is the Tall Corn State.
@TheBicycleTourists29 күн бұрын
That makes sense.
@JasonTaylor-po5xcАй бұрын
Have you done the Rio Grande trail from Glenwood Springs to Aspen? Each direction is doable in a day - it is 42 miles of mountain vistas.
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
I have indeed. My daughter lives right off that trail and we've been on it several times. Glenwood, Aspen, Carbondale, Basalt are all great trail towns.
@rebeccadubois8270Ай бұрын
Never rode a single trail or spent overnight anywhere on a bicycle but I'm riding the erie canal trail buffalo to Albany in a few weeks. Very exciting
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
That IS exciting! I hope it's as rewarding for you as it was for us. Let us know how it went!
@drescherjmАй бұрын
I ride pretty much 1 to 3 times each week on 1 or 2 rail different rail trails around Pittsburgh but never the one mentioned as #10. The main reason is I live 1 mile from the Montour Trail and it connects to the Panhandle trail near mile 16.5. I am mostly on the Montour Trail in the good weather months and on the Panhandle trail in the winter or after a rain since a large portion of the Panhandle trail is paved and that was extended recently into WV. I have gone 60+ miles in a day on either of these a handful of times in my 40s but not in the last 5 or so years. I am 52. My wife rides with me every time and sometimes more as I skate at times on the Panhandle trail. I expect we will try the Great Allegheny Passage after we retire and have much more time for recreation..
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
I love Pittsburgh and would love to explore more of the trails in Western PA. Doesn't the Panhandle take you to the Ohio in WV? Looks like a great couple of rides.
@drescherjmАй бұрын
@@TheBicycleTourists The Panhandle trail ends a little before the Ohio river where Weirton WV is on east side and Steubenville OH is on the west side of the river. The trail is not maintained near the last half mile or so by the river. I usually stop before that area. Its bumpy for a while with larger rock / ground up asphalt if I remember correctly. This turns into a grass path at the end.
@FabrizioTrottoАй бұрын
Many many thanks for this. I love this video. Your words is philosophy of life.
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
Thank you so much for the kind words. It truly is what I love about touring.
@daniel.goriniАй бұрын
Very nice adventure
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
Thanks, it was a real joy to ride with Kelsey!
@nickpedicini2108Ай бұрын
Lived in Rochester, Columbus and Pittsburgh so rode or ran portions of three on your list. New River is another long rural ride with good and bad stretches. I had the pleasure of meeting the late Ed Honton who, more than anyone, made the Ohio To Erie happen. I remember attending trail advocacy meetings in Columbus when Ed would show up with his binder full of maps, letters to public officials etc. pushing his vision. He didn’t live to see it but we all have the benefit today.
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
Yes, three great locations for this kind of riding. Especially Pittsburgh. Great story about Ed Honton. I've read about those who pushed for the Appalachian Trail, or closer to (our) home, the Colorado Trail. Rarely do they live to see their vision complete; it's a bit like planting a tree for future generations. I'm in awe of their selflessness!
@viacheslavkiselev3125Ай бұрын
thanks for putting what I also feel such beautifully into words!
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
You are welcome, and thanks for the compliment. I think many of us feel the same way, and I'm just hoping I can spread the word!
@richardstoner866Ай бұрын
A super video…thanks….im cycling this same part of your route next week….it looks great! 👍
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
Thank you! I hope you enjoy that ride as much as we did. Love this part of France.
@juliaanderson6155Ай бұрын
If you haven't done RAGBRAI you haven't lived!!😅
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
So I've heard!
@colindaysh640Ай бұрын
I'm currently working my way through your France videos after only recently discovering them. I love France and it seems you do too!! How great to find your dream bike in La Rochelle, such a beautiful town. Thank you for documenting your travels X
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
Thank you! France is an amazing place, and you're right, La Rochelle is a real gem.
@sparkleandspursАй бұрын
Awesome video, just subscribed. Keep 'em coming. I'm already planning my next two years camping trips around your suggestions. We've done the Hiawatha & Mickelson, parts of Coeur d'Alene but that's about it as far as awesome rail trails. May I ask what kind of bikes you use? Brand, size, etc. We are shopping to replace our current entry level foldable e-bikes to a more substantial regular size bike or e-bike that's not foldable. We are 66 & 67 yo, 5'8" & 6'2' if that matters. Thanks.
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
Thank you! In most of these, Julianna is on a Salsa Journeyman, which, though she rode it across the US, in the end proved to be not 100% up to the challenge of the heavy loads while touring. She replaced it in France with a Grande Globe-Trotteuse Classique. I ride a now-discontinued REI brand of touring bike called Novarro Safari, which I love! Can't speak to size, since that's all about you. Are you keeping with the e-bike solution?
@sparkleandspursАй бұрын
@@TheBicycleTourists well, i'd like to be able to tour on a regular bike, BUT with the steep inclines like on the Mickleson trail I think it would be difficult for me to make those without the power of an e bike so we are trying to decide if we NEED electric or not.
@G.GorrellАй бұрын
@@TheBicycleTourists How about the Virginia Creeper? Awesome video, thx!
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
We are having the same discussions!
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
Hope to do the Virginia Creeper someday soon!
@jimt4906Ай бұрын
I'm surprised you didn't mention two Rail Trails in the Northeast . First is the Island Trail that starts in Vermont and goes right across Lake Champlain. Its the longest water spanning rail trail in the United States. Sometimes its not the longest trail that gets your attention -its the trail with the most spectacular scenery in the shortest distance. The second is the Lamoille Valley trail in Vermont which traverses the state from St. Johsbury to Swanton on the New York border. Its 93 miles long. Along the trail are places to stay and recharge your Electric Bike batteries and who wouldn't want to see quaint New England towns?
@TheBicycleTouristsАй бұрын
I agree with you, but I believe I mentioned them toward the end, as runners-up. I hope to cycle them both someday soon, as Vermont is an absolute favorite.